THE POTAMOGALE 



349 



THE 



Family POTAMOGALID^, 



The curious aquatic Insectivore from West Africa, discovered by Du Chaillu, 

 and named by him Potamogale, differs so much from all other members of the order 

 that, like the solenodons, it forms the representative of a distinct family. P. velox 

 may be recognized by its otter-like form, and long laterally compressed tail passing 

 almost imperceptibly into the body. In size it is rather large for an Insectivore, 

 the length of the head and body being eleven inches, and that of the tail nearly the 

 same. It has a total of forty teeth, which have the same serial arrangement as in 

 the long-tailed tenrecs, and are placed very near together. The head is char- 

 acterized by the great width of the broad muzzle, which is provided with a number 

 of large bristles, and has its nostrils closed by valves. The body is long and 

 cylindrical, and the limbs are short, with the toes not connected by webs. The 

 body is covered with a coarse outer coat of long hairs and an inner one of a finer 

 and softer nature ; the color of the upper parts being dark brown, while the under 

 parts are whitish. In certain lights, however, the dark portion of the pelage is shot 

 with a purplish metallic tint. The skeleton of the potamogale differs from that of 

 all other Insectivores, except, probably, that of the undermentioned geogale, by the 

 total absence of collar bones. 



The compressed 

 tail becoming cyl- 

 indrical at its base to join the 

 body, together with the presence 

 of valves to close the nostrils, 

 would alone suffice to indicate 

 the aquatic habits of this curi- 

 ous creature. In addition, we 

 have, however, the direct testi- 

 mony of Du Chaillu, who ob- 

 serves that the potamogale ' ' is 

 found along the water courses of 

 limpid and clear streams, where 

 fish are abundant. It hides un- 

 der rocks along these streams, ly- 

 ing in wait for fish. It swims 

 through the water with a rapidity which astonished me ; before the fish has time to 

 move it is caught. On account of the rapidity of its movements I have given it the 

 specific name of velox. The animal returns to land with its prey almost as rapidly 

 as it started from its place of concealment. The great motive power of the animal 

 in the water seems to be in its tail." 



Habits 



THE POTAMOGALE. 

 (One-fourth natural size.) 



(After Allman.) 



